I discovered that many spices indeed have been used, but the food wasn't that spicy-hot. Was that because I ate in an American Indian restaurant, or because the food is not that spicy in general?
2007-03-04 16:18:34 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Ethnic Cuisine
It depends what Indian restaurant you ate at, some places serve mild food (esp if it caters to a non-Indian crowd).
Eat at a typical Andhra (South Indian) place & ask them to make it spicy. Most non-Indians have never had Andhra cuisine (it will blow the roof off your mouth!).
I live in the Bay area & we have alot of restaurants around here that cater specifically for Indians only and they are much spicier than those that cater towards non-Indians.
Most Indian restaurants will automatically make mild food for non-Indians. It will be flavorful but NOT spicy.
If you want extra spicy, just mention it to your waiter.
I have personally noticed that most restaurants that cater to non-Indians have a milder version. If you go to restaurants that are very Indian, the food will be much spicier.
2007-03-04 18:34:58 · answer #1 · answered by Desi Chef 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most common Indian foods generally use more spices (or spice blends or mix) than many other cuisines. In the United States, a typical Indian food restaurant uses common and accepted levels and types of spice. Generally, food is not less spicy because it is in America. Please remember, the large majority of people dining out in Indian restaurants are South Asians themselves or their friends and family who are used to the spicy food. Food in a typical household entirely depends on the family and family’s background. People use a different blend of spices and amount depending on their personal and regional preferences. Usually, it is the question of if food is more hot or milder than if it more or less spicy.
2007-03-05 00:33:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
many spices are used, but they aren't exactly hot spices. They're spices that make the food look great, and make the food aromatic. The spices are sort of a staple of the main ingredients. My friend is Indian, when I went to dinner at he house i was surprised to find that it wasn't spicy, she said they used a lot of spices that made it taste better, not hotter necessarily.
2007-03-06 18:40:02 · answer #3 · answered by Lana D. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on which region the food was from. Just as in other cusines, the further south you go, the spicier the food tends to be . Indians use a vast array of spices, but the majority are not "hot" spices, but aromatic. In fact some cultures in India do not used hot spices at all, unless you consider cinnamon hot.
2007-03-05 00:24:34 · answer #4 · answered by Spyderbear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
compared to a palate which is used to continental cuisine or American way of cooking, Indian cooking is spicy as usage of spices is much more. but then level of spices varies from state to state & is also very individulaistic. sometimes if food is found not to be as spicy as one prefers, we do eat fresh green chillies along with our food. u can enjoy Indian food with less spices too.
2007-03-08 04:10:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i also ate in indian restaurants in Atlanta, and found that the food was less spicy, to suit the local taste.
how ever, in india, some regions prefer very pungent and hot food, literally bringing tears to their eyes ! especially non-veg dishes, they are not happy if the preparation is bland.
of course, all tandoori dishes are medium spiced , and use only some ginger garlic paste, and red color, while the masala or curry dishes require a lot of ghee and oil, plus a sufficient red chilli powder, green chillies etc.
2007-03-06 10:26:14 · answer #6 · answered by palador 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
modified Indian cuisine is very popular in some American cities...I suspect that the restaurant you ate in caters to Americans.
The mark of an authentic ethnic restaurant is to see people of that ethnic group in the restaurant.
But, that having been said, not all Indian food is hot spicy, just highly spiced in other ways.
if you want really hot...try Thai or Ethiopean food...that's HOT
2007-03-05 09:30:08 · answer #7 · answered by coquinegra 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indian dishes can be made hot if thats what is wanted but generally, they are just very flavourful.
For instance: I make a Bengali curry that uses eight different spices but is not hot at all. It's just delicious!
If you would like the recipe, email me and I will send it to you.
.
2007-03-05 00:51:21 · answer #8 · answered by Costy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Indian food is very "spiced" but not spicy. The food is heavly flavored but they spices they use arn't very hot.
2007-03-05 00:28:27 · answer #9 · answered by 7 Words You Can't Say On T.V 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋